Ceremonies and events marking the 21st -25th of December National Struggle and Martyrs Week are continuing.
Turkish Cypriot fighters who fell during the defence of the Turkish Cypriot sector of İskele in the Larnaka district between 1963 and 1974 were remembered today with a ceremony at the Larnaka Martyrs Monument located in modern day İskele in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
President Ersin Tatar, Parliamentary Speaker Zorlu Töre, the Commander of the Cyprus Turkish Security Forces Major General Zorlu Topaloğlu, regional schools, citizens and relatives of martyrs attended the ceremony, which took place in front of the Larnaca Martyrs’ Monument in Iskele.
The ceremony, which started with the laying of wreaths, continued with a minutes’ silence, shots being fired in respect and flags being raised to the reciting of the national anthem.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Ersin Tatar reminded that the Greek Cypriots’ had implemented the Akritas plan and carried out massacres on the island in order to turn Cyprus into a Hellenic island.
“We were able to establish our state with the spirit of resistance that we had shown during those times to defend ourselves in order to survive” said Tatar and added that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus had been established under very difficult conditions, and by paying a very high price.
Explaining that the pain and the sacrifices made by the martyrs will never be forgotten, Tatar pointed to the importance of unity and solidarity in overcoming the problems experienced in the country.
Touching upon the Cyprus issue, President Tatar said that they were continuing with their new policy on Cyprus with the full support of Motherland Türkiye.
“The new policy is that there are two separate states in Cyprus” said Tatar and added that people who do not protect their state are destined to disappear.
Noting that the Greek-Greek Cypriot duo are carrying out a program to oppress and prevent the Turkish Cypriot people from developing Tatar said “We have the support of motherland Türkiye which is a guarantor on the island and the Turkish Armed Forces are a deterrent force. We absolutely need their presence.”
Meanwhile a similar ceremony will be held to commemorate the Kumsal Martyrs on Saturday morning at Tekke Bahçe.
The Küçük Kaymaklı Martyrs will be remembered on Saturday December 24.
Following the ceremony in front of the Küçük Kaymaklı Martyrs Monument, a commemoration ceremony will also be held at the Küçük Kaymaklı Martyrs’ Cemetery for Hüseyin Ruso who died on December 25, 1963 during the resistance put up in the Kaymaklı area.